This is the journey of Dr. Deepak Kumar Nayak, a research scholar of the School of Tribal Resource Management whose research work will bring in transformative changes in his community. His dream is to take the knowledge gained through this research to his village in Keonjhar and contribute to improving infant and maternal healthcare. He hopes to work with communities, healthcare workers, and local institutions to promote awareness, encourage timely healthcare, and help identify the factors that contribute to infant deaths. He wants my Ph.D. to become a tool for creating practical change.

While sharing personal experience, Deepak said “When I look back at my journey, from joining KISS in Class 6 to earning my Ph.D., I feel a deep sense of gratitude, pride, and responsibility. KISS has been much more than an institution in my life. It is where my dreams took shape, where I received education, opportunities, confidence, and the belief that I could contribute meaningfully to my community.

My thesis titled “A Comprehensive Analysis of Infant Mortality Trends in Tribal Communities,” is deeply connected to the people and communities I come from. During my research, I began to understand that infant mortality is not merely a statistic. Behind every number is a family, a mother, a child, and a story. The challenges faced by tribal communities often include limited healthcare access, lack of awareness, socioeconomic difficulties, and inadequate maternal and child health services. This realization strengthened my determination to make my research useful beyond the pages of a thesis.

I am deeply thankful to Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta for giving me the opportunity to study at KISS from Class 6 to Ph.D. I remain grateful to KISS for shaping not only my education but also my values and aspirations. I sincerely thank my supervisors, Dr. Snigdharani Panda and Dr. Snehalata Das. I will be grateful to Prof. (Dr.) Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor (I/c) of KISS Deemed to be University, external examiner Professor Bibhu Prasad Sahoo, Professor in Commerce, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Professor Ranjan Kumar Bal, Professor emeritus, KISS-DU, Research Scrutiny Committee (RSC), Professor B.C.M. Patnaik, KSOM, KIIT, and Professor Jyotirmaya Mohanty, former Professor, KISS Deemed to be University, Dr. Arpana Premi Lina Oraon, Dean, School of Tribal Resource Management and Director, Research and Development Cell, Dr. Mirabai Das, Medical Officer, KISS Dispensary, and Mr. Rabin Kumar Khandayatray, Chief Librarian, for playing a seminal role in translating my dream into reality.

This Ph.D. is not the end of my journey. For me, it is the beginning of a larger responsibility—to give back to my community and help create a healthier future for its children.”